How to soft wash a roof without breaking anything
If you're wondering how to soft wash a roof to get rid of those unsightly black streaks and moss, you've probably already realized that a standard pressure washer is a horrible idea. Blasting shingles with high-pressure water is a quick track to needing a total roof replacement, which will be exactly what we're trying to avoid here. Soft washing will be the "secret sauce" the pros use to make a roof look brand new without actually leading to any damage. It's basically a low-pressure chemical bath that kills the stuff growing up generally there instead of just trying to scrub it off.
Honestly, it's a project most homeowners can handle if they've obtained a bit of patience plus a decent ladder. It's not simply about aesthetics, either. Those black lines are usually a type of algae called Gloeocapsa magma , and it also actually eats away at the limestone inside your shingles. If you depart it alone, your roof's lifespan will get cut way brief.
Why pressure washing is a bad move
Before we enter the "how, " let's talk about the "why not really. " I've noticed people try to use a normal power washer upon their asphalt shingles, and it's unpleasant to watch. Large pressure rips the granules right away from the shingles. Those granules are generally there for a reason—they protect the roof from UV rays and keep your home from turning directly into an oven.
If you are using high pressure, you're generally sandblasting your personal house. Soft washing, on the other hand, uses about the same amount of pressure because a garden hose. The chemical substances do all the heavy lifting, which means you don't have to.
Getting your equipment together
A person can't just walk out there with a bucket and a sponge. To do that right, you need a few specific things. You don't necessarily need a professional-grade rig, yet a standard garden pump sprayer is the bare minimum. In the event that you have a larger roof, a person might want to look into a battery-powered sprayer so your hand doesn't cramp up after ten minutes.
Here's the basic list: * A pump sprayer (2-gallon or larger is usually best) * Salt Hypochlorite (basically concentrated pool bleach) * A surfactant (this is just a fancy word with regard to "soap" that assists the mix stay to the roof) * A sturdy ladder * A garden hose with a decent squirt nozzle * Personal protective equipment (gloves, goggles, and old clothes)
Don't skip the goggles. You're going to be spraying chemicals upward, and blowing wind has a humorous way of forced that stuff right back into the encounter.
Mixing your cleaning solution
This is where people get a little nervous, yet it's pretty straightforward. The "magic" component is Sodium Hypochlorite (SH). You can find this from pool supply stores—usually, it's around 10% to 12. 5% strength. Regular home bleach is much weaker (around 5% or 6%), therefore although it can work, you'll finish up using method more of this.
For a typical roof with moderate staining, you're searching for a combine that's about 3% to 4% YOU WILL NEED. If you're using 12. 5% pool bleach, that indicates mixing roughly 1 part bleach along with three parts drinking water.
Pro-tip: Don't your investment surfactant. If you just spray bleach and water, it'll operate right off the shingles before this has time to kill the algae. You can purchase specialized roof surfactants, but in a touch, a good quantity of high-quality liquid dish soap (the kind that doesn't contain ammonia) works okay. It makes the particular solution "sticky" therefore it can sit there and do its job.
Protecting your landscaping
Bleach kills algae, but it's not particularly picky—it'll kill your rose bushes and your lawn just as fast. This particular is the component of how to soft wash a roof that will most people mess up. You have to protect your vegetation.
Before a person even touch the roof, soak down all the plants, grass, and shrubbery around the perimeter of your house with simple water. Wet results in won't absorb the particular bleach solution because easily. While you're working, have someone on a lawn constantly rinsing the plants in the event that they see any kind of runoff from the channels. Once you're completed with the whole project, give every thing one last huge rinse.
The step-by-step process
Once you're geared up plus your plants are usually soaked, it's period to head up. You don't really need to stroll on the roof for those who have a ladder and a sprayer with decent reach. Walking on a wet, soapy roof is incredibly dangerous—it's like walking upon a giant slip-and-slide.
1. The particular Prep Work
Check the weather. A person want a gloomy day with really little wind. When it's too sunlit, the solution may evaporate before it can kill the algae. If it's too windy, you'll end up cleaning your neighbor's vehicle instead of your roof.
two. Applying the Remedy
Start from the particular bottom and work your way up. Apply the mix evenly until the particular shingles look saturated. You'll start to see the dark streaks disappear very quickly. Moss and lichen might take a bit longer—they'll turn a white or brownish color as soon as they're dead.
Don't be stingy with the spray, but don't let it just pour off to the gutters if you can help it. You want it to sit there plus dwell.
three or more. Let it Dwell
Let the solution sit with regard to about 15 to 20 minutes. Don't let it dried out out completely. In the event that you see places drying up, strike them with a light mist associated with your cleaning blend again. You're looking for an even "clean" look. If you have thick patches of moss, they may need a 2nd application.
four. Rinsing (Optional but Recommended)
Formally, many people just depart the solution on plus let the following rain rinse it off. However, it's generally better to give it a light rinse along with a garden line after the dwell time is up. Again, no high stress . Just a gentle fan squirt to wash aside the dead organic matter and the leftover salt from your chlorine bleach.
Dealing with moss and lichen
If your roof is covered within thick clumps associated with moss, don't expect them to vanish immediately. Soft washing kills the moss, but the "roots" (rhizoids) are nevertheless anchored to the shingles. If you attempt to scrape all of them off while they're fresh, you'll draw the shingles aside.
When the moss is dead (it'll turn white/grey), simply leave it on your own. Over the next few weeks, the wind and rain will wash it away. It's a little bit of a waiting sport, but it's the only method to do this without damaging the roof.
When in the event you call a professional?
I'm all for a DIY project, yet let's be real—roof work isn't for everyone. If you have a very steep pitch (a "6/12" or higher), or in case your house is more than two tales, it might be worth hiring a pro. They have devoted soft wash systems that can spray from the ground or a step ladder, meaning they rarely have to in fact step on the shingles.
Furthermore, if you're unpleasant handling concentrated chemicals, there's no pity in passing the job off. Blending bleach can become tricky, and when you get the particular ratio wrong, you could end up bleaching your siding or killing a thousands of dollars' worth associated with landscaping.
Keeping it clean
Once you've figured out how to soft wash a roof and you've actually carried out the work, a person won't want to do it once again anytime soon. To keep the algae from coming back again, make sure you trim back any overhanging tree divisions. Shade and humidity are what these organisms crave. Even more sunlight equals a drier roof, which usually means a cleanser roof.
You can also look into installing zinc or copper pieces near the maximum of the roof. When it rains, small levels of metal ions wash down the shingles, creating a good environment where algae can't grow. It's a great precautionary measure that can maintain your roof searching fresh for years.
Soft cleaning is honestly a single of the nearly all satisfying home upkeep tasks. Seeing all those gross black discolorations disappear in real-time is an excellent feeling, and understanding you've extended the life of your own roof by a decade makes the particular weekend of function totally worth it. Simply stay safe, keep your plants damp, and keep the particular pressure low!